Newsletters

January 2012 Newsletter

Did everyone have a nice and relaxing new year's holiday? Thank you very much for all of your contributions to the preschool from time to time during the previous year. We will keep up our hard work with the children this year. The daikons in our field are also working very hard, even after being eaten 3 times by the bunnies!

- Have fun playing traditional Japanese New Year's games such as Karuta (cards), Sugoroku (board games), Fukuwarai (a more complicated version of Pin the Tail on the Donkey), Koma-mawashi (spinning tops), Takoage (flying kites) and Hanetsuki (badminton with wooden rackets), while realizing the importance of following rules.
- Experience the fun of playing with tops and kites that you made yourself.
- Have fun exchanging letters and familiarize yourself with Japanese letters through pretend play.
- Pay attention to the daikons' growth in the field, and experience the pleasure of growing things.
- Develop the habit of washing hands and gargling for winter time.

This is my third New Year's in the US! But I'd better make sure I don't let my guard down and get too comfy; everyday I'll come to school and face the children afresh. Kawabe

Using time efficiently is my resolution for this year. I'd also like to hike in the forest and in the mountains to enjoy nature--I want to stay strong and energetic! Yamashita

I'd like to share in lots of fun with the children, cherish each and every day, and fill this year with more cheer, energy and smiles than the last year. And as always, I'd like to be even more energetic than the children! Hachiga

"Health comes first!" "I would like to take good care of my mind and body for a more enriched life and I want to grow as a person." These thoughts came to my mind when I rang in the new year this year. May this year be filled with lots of laughter with children at KNI for me! Kanno

I had spinal surgery in 2009, and then, ligament surgery this past summer. Now instead of having yellow light signals, I am having red light warning signals here and there in my body! Since I do not want to cause my friends and family any trouble, I have started to keep reminding myself to remember my age and to slow down. Umehata

Many Thanks to:

★We had our annual KNI Chistmas Pary at First United Methodist Church Sanctuary on Saturday, Dec. 17th. What did you think of the Nativity Play by Sakura Class children? That play was part of Christmas Service. Each child did an excellent job and we received so many compliments like "Hats off to Sakura Class children!!" At the Christmas party, children from each class sang and performed ensembles. Despite the short term practice sessions, children sang with a strong and confident voice and performed really well. Singing by Sakura Class children was excellent and that was you would expect from the oldest group of our preschoolers. I believe that your enthusiastic applause certainly has encouraged these children to move onto the next level. Our Christmas Party was a huge success and we are greatly indebted to Christmas Committee members, Class mothers and all KNI parents for that. We truly appreciate your support and contributions. Thanks so much!!!

★The total amount of the offering made during this celebration was $252.00. Your generosity is much appreciated.

★We also would like to express our gratitude in this newsletter for the gift from the KNI Parents Association. Furthermore, we appreciate individual gifts from many families. We apologize for not sending a personal thank you to each KNI family.

★We enjoy reading so many Christmas and New Year cards from our KNI families.

★Finally, we also would like to show our appreciation to the huge contribution made by Mrs. Otamura (Kiku Class) from Scrip committee. She did this huge task all by herself!